Hospital bed communication and control device

ABSTRACT

A communication and control device for attachment to the head end of a hospital bed for positioning a voice activated communication and control module adjacent a patient&#39;s head. The device comprises an arm having first, second and third arm segments, with first and second articulating joints connecting the first and second and second and third arm segments respectively. A securing mechanism releasably secures the first arm segment to the bed, and a third articulating joint connects the first arm segment to the securing mechanism. The first articulating joint accommodates electrical transmission wire substantially within the joint.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/778,961, filed Jan. 6, 1997, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/409,940 filed Mar. 23, 1995, and issued as U.S.patent application Ser. No. 5,592,153 on Jan. 7, 1997, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/984,208, filed Nov.30, 1992, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to communication and control devices,and more particularly to a communication and control device adapted tobe used in conjunction with a hospital bed for activating any one of anumber of functions such as bed adjust, mattress adjust, nurse call,room light, reading light, TV and phone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many types of devices in the health care industry which allowa patient situated atop a hospital bed to activate a number ofcommunication and control functions, such as adjust bed, adjustmattress, call nurse, room light, reading light, TV and phone. One suchdevice is located in the hospital bed sideguard, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,183,015 assigned to the assignee of the present invention.Another such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,790, whichdiscloses a bedside control module which may be releasably attached to ahospital bed siderail. These and other prior art devices generallyemploy one or more pushbutton or pressure sensitive type switches toactivate the various communication and control functions. A commoncriticism of these types of devices is that a fairly high degree ofmanual dexterity is required by a patient in order to properly activatethese devices. Accordingly, their application is relatively limited.

Various types of voice recognition systems have been developed whichfurther tend to reduce or eliminate the need for relying on theactivation of pushbutton or pressure sensitive type switches to providefor “hands free” operation of some types of equipment. In these types ofsystems, electronics are “trained” to “learn” to associate certainfunctions with a user's verbal commands, and to carry out or performthose functions upon subsequently receiving the learned verbal commands.Due to the sensitivity of such voice recognition systems, prior artcommunication and control devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,183,015 and 4,680,790 are generally ill-suited for use inconjunction therewith. For example, such prior art devices are notgenerally located adjacent to the patient's head when the patient issituated atop a hospital bed when the communication and control deviceis either an integral part of or removably secured to the bed sideguard.If the communication and control device is of the type which is locatednear the head end of the hospital bed, it is generally simply pinned tothe mattress on one side or the other of the patient's head, anddepending on the particular condition of the patient, the patient maynot be able to turn his/her head toward the device in order to speakclearly into the device, thus making such devices ill-suited for voicerecognition systems as well.

Other voice recognition devices are known which take the form of eithera box which would rest upon a bedside table, or a headset type devicewhich would be worn by the patient. Of these types of devices, theformer suffers the drawback that the device is prone to beinginadvertently activated by ambient noise as the device must have a highdegree of audio sensitivity since it is not located closely adjacent apatient's head. The latter suffers the obvious drawback of having to beworn by a patient, which creates discomfort, etc.

Other types of bedside devices have been developed for more severelydisabled patients who suffer both speech and motor disabilities and who,as a consequence, are not able to manipulate push-button type devices oruse speech recognition devices. These include so-called “sip and puff”devices where a patient alternately sucks from and blows into a strawtype device to generate electrical signals; pillow type switches whereina patient rocks his/her head to one side to activate the switch withinthe pillow; tongue activated devices; and even eyebrow activated deviceswhich are adhered directly to a patient's skin adjacent the eyebrow andwhich are activated upon a patient's raising or lowering his/hereyebrows.

It has therefore been a primary objective of the present invention toprovide a communication and control device for use on a hospital bedwhich is specifically adapted for voice activation of communication andcontrol functions.

It has been a further objective of the present invention to provide anarm mechanism for attachment to a hospital bed for positioning acommunication and control module adjacent a patient's head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the stated objectives of the present invention, thepresent invention is a communication and control device for use on ahospital bed which comprises a voice recognition communication andcontrol module for activating at least one of a plurality ofcommunication and control functions upon sensing the patient's voice,and arm means connected to the module and adapted to be connected to thehospital bed for positioning the module adjacent to the head of thepatient situated atop the bed. The communication and control functionsactivatable by the module preferably include adjusting the height,configuration and orientation of the hospital bed, adjusting themattress atop the bed, nurse call, room light, reading light, TV andphone. The module of the communication and control device furtheradvantageously includes an alpha numeric display.

In accordance with other features of the present invention, thecommunication and control device comprises a first arm segment havingfirst and second ends, mechanism for removably securing the first armsegment to a hospital bed, a second arm segment having first and secondends, a first articulating joint connecting the second end of the firstarm segment to the first end of the second arm segment, a third flexiblearm segment having first and second ends, the first end being connectedto the second end of the second arm segment, a communication and controlmodule for activating at least one of a plurality of communication andcontrol functions and a second articulating joint connecting thecommunication and control module to the second end of the third flexiblearm segment.

The communication and control device of the present invention furtheradvantageously includes a third articulating joint connecting the firstarm segment to the removably securing mechanism for allowing the firstarm segment to rotate relative to the removably securing mechanism aboutan axis which is generally parallel to a longitudinal dimension of thebed.

The first articulating joint of the present invention preferably allowsthe second arm segment to rotate relative to the first arm segment abouttwo axes, one of which is generally perpendicular to the first armsegment and generally parallel to a plane defined by the head endportion of the bed, the other of which is generally collinear with thelongitudinal axis of the first arm segment.

The second articulating joint preferably allows the communication andcontrol module to rotate relative to the third flexible arm segmentabout an axis which is generally collinear with a longitudinal axis ofthe third flexible arm segment.

The removably securing mechanism of the communication and control deviceof the present invention preferably takes the form of first and secondcoupling members in the form of a plate and a hook, and a draw latch foreffecting relative movement between the first and second couplingmembers for connection of the coupling members to a hospital bed.

Electrical transmission wire travels from the first end of the first armsegment through the first, second and third arm segments to the modulefor sending electrical signals from the communication and control moduleto various electrical devices. The first articulating joint allows thiswire to be substantially contained within the first articulating jointwhere the wire spans from the first arm member to the second arm member.To do so, the articulating joint comprises a rotatable collar connectedto one of the first and second arm members, and a pair of hubs connectedto the other of the first and second arm members for rotationalconnection to the collar, the collar including a circumferential slotfor accommodating movement of the wire as the first and second armmembers are rotated relative to one another, whereby the first andsecond arm members may be rotated relative to one another without theelectrical transmission wire having to be located external to the joint.

One advantage of the present invention is that it advantageouslypresents a voice recognition type communication and control moduleadjacent to a patient's head when the patient is situated atop thehospital bed.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows for maximumadjustability of a communication and control module whether a patient issituated atop the hospital bed or is recreating in a chair beside thebed.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that a hospital bedmay be readily retrofitted with a communication and control device whichpresents its voice recognition type communication and control moduleadjacent to the patient's head when situated atop the hospital bed.

Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of anovel articulating joint for a communication and control device, or forany other type of electrical device for that matter which employspivoting arms and which alleviates the need to run electricaltransmission wires externally of the pivoting joint.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent during the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed outfitted with acommunication and control device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the communication and controldevice of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is the front view of the communication and control module of thedevice of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hospital bed being readily retrofittedwith a communication and control device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the position of thehospital bed headboard in conjunction with the communication and controldevice and interface box of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interface box which supports thecommunication and control device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view in partial cross-section ofthe means for removably securing the arm to a hospital bed and of thearticulating joint means permitting rotation of the first arm segmentrelative to the removably securing means;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the articulating joint meanspermitting relative rotation of the second arm member relative to thefirst arm member;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view in partial cross-sectionillustrating the articulating joint means of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9A is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the second arm rotatedto its extreme positions; and

FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10—10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a hospital bed 1, apatient 2 situated atop the bed 1, and the communication and controldevice of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral 3secured to the bed 1 for use by the patient 2. With reference to FIG. 2,the device 3 is shown in side elevation. The device 3 includes,generally, a first arm segment 5, a mechanism 6 for removably securingthe first arm segment 5 to a hospital bed 1, an articulating joint 7which allows the first arm segment 5 to rotate with respect to thesecuring mechanism 6 and hence the bed 1, second arm segment 8, anarticulating joint 9 connecting the first and second arm segment 5, 8respectively and allowing for relative rotation therebetween, a thirdarm segment 10 connected to the second arm segment 8, a communicationand control module 11 for activating one of a plurality of communicationand control functions, and an articulating joint 12 connecting themodule 11 to the third arm segment 10. The first, second, and third armsegments 5, 8, and 10 and articulating joints 7, 9, 12 comprise an armor articulating arm assembly. The bed 1 includes a head end 210, a footend 212, and first and second sides 214, 216 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.The head end 210 includes a head portion or head end portion 218 and ahead end edge 220 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

More specifically, the first arm segment includes first and second ends5 a and 5 b. Securing mechanism 6 is connected to the first end 5 a offirst arm segment 5 through the articulating joint 7. With reference toFIG. 7, the securing mechanism 6 and articulating joint 7 are shown withmore specificity. More particularly, the securing mechanism 6 takes theform of a downturned channel section 15 having a top wall 15 a and twoside walls 15 b and 15 c. The forward end 15 d of channel section 15 hasfixedly secured there to a plate 16. A pair of locating pins 35 on theaft side of plate 16 serve to locate the plate 16 against supporting bedstructure, the operation of which will be subsequently described.Approximately one-third of the way from the aft end 15 e of the channelsection 15 toward the forward end 15 d there is a drawlatch assembly 20for securing the channel section 15 and plate 16 to a hospital bed 1.

More particularly, as seen in FIG. 7, the drawlatch assembly 20 includesa mounting plate 21 which is fixedly secured to the sidewalls 15 b and15 c of he channel section 15. A downturned generally channelsection-shaped mounting bracket 22 has a top wall 22 a and sidewalls 22b and 22 c as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Top wall 22 a is secured to themounting plate 21 with bolts 23 and nuts 24. A drawlatch 25 includessubstantially identical halves 25 a and 25 b, the aft ends of each ofwhich are pinned to the respective sidewalls 22 b and 22 c of mountingbracket 22 via pins 26. A threaded collar 27 is rotatably securedbetween drawlatch halves 25 a and 25 b as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.Threaded hole 28 of collar 27 is threaded to mateably accept thethreaded end 29 of rod 30, the other end of which is formed into aU-shaped hook 31. U-shaped hook 31 is formed to curve around a torquetube 32 which forms a part of the support structure of bed 1, thespecifics of which will be described subsequently in more detail.Sidewalls 15 b and 15 c of channel section 15 similarly include U-shapedrelieved areas, one of which is shown at 33, to accommodate torque tube32 on the side opposite to that engaged by hook 31. The effective lengthof rod 30 between the drawlatch assembly 20 and the torque tube 32 maybe adjusted by rotating the rod 30 within the threaded collar 27 toeither shorten the distance between collar 27 and hook 31 or lengthenthe distance therebetween. When the desired distance is obtained, locknut 34 on rod 30 is tightened against the collar 27 to prevent anysubsequent inadvertent rotation of rod 30 with respect to the collar 27.

With reference to FIG. 5, the communication and control device 3 isshown being mounted to the bed 1. The plate 16 abuts the headboard sideof transverse support 40, the support 40 including a pair of holes 41,41 for receiving the pair of pins 35, 35 located on the mounting plate16. Hook 31 is positioned underneath and aft of the torque tube 32, andwith reference to FIG. 4, the drawlatch 25 is snapped upwardly to camthe hook 31 of rod 30 against the aft side of torque tube 32 and the aftside of plate 16 against the forward side of transverse support 40,thereby securing bed support structure 32 and 40 therebetween.

Referring back to FIG. 7, and describing now the joint 7 with moreparticularity, end 5 a of first arm segment 5 is fixedly secured to apivot barrel 45 which rotates in a bushing 46 which is press fittedwithin a circular opening in plate 16. In order to adjust the rotationalstiffness of joint 7, aft end 45 a of the pivot barrel 45 is disposedwithin a band brake assembly or adjustable clamp 47 which takes the formof a circular split band or collar or first and second clamping portion48 secured to the sidewalls 15 b and 15 c of channel section 15 withscrews 49. Tabs 50 are located on either side of the split 48 a in theband 48, one of which is threaded to accept screw or adjustmentmechanism 50 a for adjusting the relative tightness of the band 48 aboutthe pivot barrel 45. A screw 51 in aft end 45 a of the pivot barrel 45serves as a mechanical stop, preventing the pivot barrel 45 fromslipping forwardly out of the band brake assembly 47 and also limitingthe rotational travel of the arm segment 5 to approximately 180 degrees(90 degrees to either side of vertical); a dimple (not shown) is formedin both of the sidewalls 15 b and 15 c of the channel section 15 forcontact by the screw 51 in the extreme most positions of the arm segment5 (+and −90 degrees from vertical).

Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be seen that end 8 a of second armsegment 8 is connected to end 5 b of first arm segment 5 via joint 9.Referring now to FIG. 8, joint 9 as illustrated there in exploded formfor clarity. Referring first to end 5 b of first arm segment 5, a swivelcollar 55 includes matching collar halves 55 a and 55 b. Referring tocollar half 55 b, it has a semicircular portion 55 c which, when matedwith the similar portion of collar half 55A, forms a tubular portion.Collar half 55 b further includes a pair of longitudinal flanges 55 d,55 d. A transverse flange 55 e is located on the upper end of the collarhalf 55 b. The semicircular portion 55 c and the matching portion ofcollar half 55 a are adapted to accept a stem 56 of a yoke and stemassembly 57. Connected to the upper end of stem 56 is a yoke 58. Swivelcollar halves 55 a and 55 b fit within the end 5 b of first arm segment5. Holes 59 in the flanges 55 d are tapped to accept threaded screws 60which are inserted through clearance holes 61 in end 5 b of first armsegment 5. Tightening of the screws 60 tightens the swivel collar 55about the stem 56 of the stem and yoke assembly 57 and thereby adjuststhe rotational stiffness of the joint 7 when rotating about an axiswhich is generally collinear with the first arm segment 5.

The joint 9 further includes means providing a second pivot axis forallowing second arm segment 8 to pivot relative to first arm segment 5about an axis which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinaldimension of the first arm segment 5. A brake band assembly 65 isfixedly secured to end 8 a of arm segment 8. The brake band assembly 65is similar to the band brake assembly 47 of joint 7 describedpreviously, in that there is a split band or collar 66 which includestabs 67, one of which is located on either side of a split 66, and oneof which is threaded for accepting screw 68 for tightening of the band66. A pair of hubs 69 are fixedly secured to the sides 58 a of yoke 58and serve as a rotational connection between yoke 58 and the split band66.

More specifically, each hub 69 includes an inwardly facing cylindricalportion 70 which fits relatively snugly within the inside diameter ofsplit band 66. Each hub 69 includes a shoulder 71 which is fittedagainst the side of the split band 66 when assembling the hubsthereinto. Further, each hub 69 includes a vertically oriented slot 72which is slightly wider than the width of the sides 58 a of the yoke 58.The sides 58 a of the yoke 58 are slipped through the slots 72 of thehubs 69 for securing the hubs 69 to the stem and yoke assembly 57. Thesides 58A of the yoke 58 include notches 73 which cooperate withinwardly facing tabs 74 within the hubs 69 (FIG. 9) for securing them onto the sides 58 a of the yoke 58. Upper and lower decorative shrouds 75and 76 may be secured to arm segment 8 as with screws 77 (FIG. 2).

In order to route electrical wiring cable or electrical connetor 80(FIG. 2) through first arm segment 5, through joint 9, and on throughsecond arm segment 8 and ultimately to communication and control module11. First and second arm segments 5, 8 and articulating joints 7,9 haveinterconnected hollow interiors as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7-10.More specifically, split band 66 of the brake band assembly 65 includesa circumferential slot 81 which allows cable 80 to be routed through thejoint 9 rather than around the joint 9, while still allowing for maximumrelative rotation between second arm segment 8 and first arm segment 5.Referring particularly to FIG. 9A, second arm segment 8 is illustratedin its extreme most rotational positions relative to first arm segment5. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, it will be seen that the circumferentialslot 81 accommodates full rotation of arm segment 8 relative to armsegment 5, while allowing the cable 80 to be substantially locatedwithin the joint 9 at the point where it spans between arm segment 5 andarm segment 8, rather than having to route the cable 80 around the joint9 as is done in many prior art electrical devices which employ pivotingarms, such as reading lamps and the like. Such a novel joint mechanismcreates a sleek, streamlined joint and avoids the bunching of wire, andensuing tangling thereof, as is exhibited in many prior art electricaldevices employing pivoting arms.

Referring now back to FIG. 2, end 10 a of third flexible arm segment 10is fixedly secured to end 8 b of second arm segment 8 as by screws 85.Arm 10 is of the flexible “gooseneck” type which allows control module11 to be flexed about an axis which is generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal dimension of second arm segment 8 within a circumference of360 degrees.

End 10 b of third flexible arm segment 10 is connected to collar 11 a ofthe communication and control module 11. Articulating joint 12 takes theform of a swivel elbow 90. Swivel elbow 90 allows the communication andcontrol module 11 to rotate 360 degrees about an axis which is generallycollinear with the longitudinal axis of the swivel elbow 90 at itsconnection to the collar 11 a of the module 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the communication and control module 11 isshown in greater detail. The module includes a number of communicationand control functions with corresponding LED indicator lights. Thesefunctions include nurse call 95, adjust bed 96, adjust mattress 97,reading light 98, TV channel 99, phone 100, phone status 101, andretained voice 102. Preferably, the bed adjust function 96 would beoperable to adjust the height of the bed, the orientation of the bed(for example, Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg) and bedconfiguration (for example, chair position). The adjust mattressfunction 96 would preferably be operable to adjust the relative firmnessof, for example, an air inflatable type mattress.

The module 11 further includes a microphone or receiver 103 forreceiving voice commands from a patient. Preferably the module 11further includes an alpha numeric display 104 which would be operable todisplay, for example, a menu of sub functions once one of the majorfunctions 95-102 is selected.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an interface box 110which is used in conjunction with the communication and control device 3of the present invention. The interface box 110 is of course inelectrical communication with module 11 by virtue of being connectedtherewith via cable 80, and houses the associated electronics whichcondition the electrical signals generated by the functions 95-102 androute them to their various associated devices. The box 110 includes atransverse beam structure 111 from which depends a relatively thinrectangular electronics box 112. Along the lower edge of the box 112 area plurality of male electrical connectors 113 for connection to aplurality of female electrical connectors 114 and associated cable. Atopposed transverse ends of the beam structure 111 are a pair of posts115, 115 and a pair of square sockets 116, 116, the use of which will besubsequently described.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that when the device 3 isinstalled on the bed 1, the forward end 45 b of pivot barrel 45 extendsforwardly from the head end edge of the bed by a small amount. Raisingand lowering of the head end of the bed 1 would result in the forwardend 45 b of the pivot barrel 45 coming into undesirable contact with theheadboard 120 (FIG. 5) when the headboard is in its normal location.

Referring now to FIG. 5, on lower supporting structure 121 of bed 1there are illustrated two pairs of posts, one pair of which isdesignated by the numerals 122, 122, and the other of which isdesignated by the numerals 123, 123. The pair 122, 122 is adapted toreceive receptacles 124, 124 of headboard 120 when hospital bed 1 isconventionally operated without the device 3. Due to the projecting end45 b of the pivot barrel 45, however, the headboard 120 must be movedforward by a sufficient distance to allow clearance between headboard120 and end 45 b of pivot barrel 45 when moving the head portion of thebed up and down. Accordingly, posts 115, 115, of interface box 110(FIGS. 5 and 6) are utilized to place receptacles 124, 124 of headboard120 thereon in order to support the headboard 120 in a forwardlyadjusted position when a bed 1 is so retrofitted with the device 3. Thesquare sockets 116, 116 fit over posts 123, 123 which conventionallyemploy sockets for the insertion of IV poles (not shown) therein. Thumbscrews 125 provide for securing the interface box 110 to the posts 123,123, the open ended nature of the square sockets allowing the IV polesocket posts 123, 123 to be utilized conventionally with IV poles.

The structural components of the present invention, for example armsegments, securing mechanism and interface box are preferably fabricatedof steel. Rotating supports such as the swivel collar, hubs and bushingare preferably fabricated of a crystalline resin material, such as thatmarketed under the trademark “DELRIN” (trademark of DuPont) or “CELCON”(trademark of Celanese).

In use, interface box 110 is placed atop posts 123, 123 of supportstructure 121. Headboard 120 is then placed atop posts 115, 115 of theinterface box 110. Thumb screws 125 are tightened to secure the box 110to the posts 123, 123. The open top nature of the square sockets 116,116 allows a care provider to utilize the IV pole sockets of the posts123, 123 for insertion of IV poles therein if so desired.

The communication and control device 3 is installed on to the bed 1. Thepair of pins 35, 35 on plate 16 are indexed into the pair of holes 41,41 of transverse support 40 while hook 31 of the securing mechanism 6 issecured around torque tube 32. Draw latch 25 of the draw latch assembly20 is then cammed upwardly, thus effecting relative movement between thehook 31 and plate 16 securely fastening the same on opposed sides of thetransverse support 40 and torque tube 32.

Appropriate connections are then made between module 11 and box 110 byconnecting cable 80 therebetween, and connectors 114 are connected toconnectors 113 of box 110 thereby connecting the device electronics tovarious other devices to be controlled with module 11.

The device 3 may then freely be adjusted to any position which isaccommodating to a patient situated atop the bed 1 or recreating besidethe bed, for example in a chair (not shown). First, the first armsegment 5 is rotatably adjustable by virtue of joint 7 about an axiswhich is approximately parallel to a plane defined by the head endportion of the bed 1, through an angle of approximately a 180 degrees.Second, second arm segment 8 is adjustable relative to first arm segment5 about two axes, one of which is generally perpendicular to alongitudinal dimension of the first arm segment 5 and generally parallelto the plane defined by the head end portion of the bed, the other ofwhich is generally collinear with a longitudinal axis of the first arm5. Third, flexible arm segment 10 may be adjusted to many differentconfigurations relative to second arm segment 8. Lastly, module 11 canbe rotated 360 degrees about an axis which is generally collinear withthe end of the gooseneck arm 10 which connects to the module 11 byvirtue of joint 12.

The communication and control module 11 could be modified and/orsupplemented with other controls. For example, the LEDs on the module 11could incorporate either pressure sensitive type switches or conductiveswitches in order to make the module 11 more versatile, that is toaccommodate both voice activation and push-button or touch sensitiveactivation. Further, other types of switches 126 (FIG. 2) could be usedin conjunction with the device of the present invention, such as the“sip and puff” type, pillow type, tongue type and eyebrow type actuatedswitch devices.

The communication and control device of the present invention can notonly accommodate various positions to suit a patient situated atop ahospital bed, but could as well be positioned for use by a patient notsituated atop the bed, but positioned adjacent the bed, for example whenrecreating in a chair. Further, device 3 of the present invention may becompactly folded for transport, etc., by rotating first arm segment 5 toa position generally parallel to the front side of the head end portionof the bed and rotating second arm, segment 8 to a position generallyparallel to the side of the head end portion of the bed. In addition,the device 3 of the present invention could be used on other types ofpatient supports other than beds, for example wheelchairs, gurneys andthe like.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations andmodifications which can be made to the present invention and which willresult in an improved communication and control device, yet all of whichwill fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention asdefined by the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to belimited only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication and control device for a bedincluding a head portion and a support, the communication and controldevice comprising an arm having a first end and a second end, a securingmechanism configured to couple the first end of the arm to the support,and a voice recognition communication and control module coupled to thesecond end of the arm, the module including a microphone and a display.2. The communication and control device of claim 1, wherein the arm isconfigured to position the module adjacent to a head portion of the bed.3. The communication and control device of claim 2, wherein the headportion is movable between a down position and an up position and thesupport is configured to move with the head portion so that the voicerecognition communication and control module moves with the headportion.
 4. The communication and control device of claim 2, wherein thehead portion is movable between a down position and an up position andthe arm is configured to articulate so that the voice recognitioncommunication and control module is movable between a first positionwhen the head portion is in the down position and a second position whenthe head portion is in the up position.
 5. The communication and controldevice of claim 1, wherein the arm is configured to move between astored position compactly folded adjacent a head end of the bed and ause position.
 6. The communication and control device of claim 1,wherein the arm is configured to move between a stored position adjacenta head end edge of the bed and a use position.
 7. The communication andcontrol device of claim 1, further comprising an interface interposed inelectrical communication between the module and a device.
 8. Thecommunication and control device of claim 7, further comprising aplurality of devices, the interface being interposed in electricalcommunication between the module and each device.
 9. The communicationand control device of claim 7, wherein the interface is enclosed in aninterface box fixed to the bed.
 10. The communication and control deviceof claim 1, further comprising a housing coupled to the second end ofthe arm, the housing carrying the module.
 11. The communication andcontrol device of claim 10, wherein the module includes pressuresensitive switches.
 12. The communication and control device of claim10, wherein the module includes conductive switches.
 13. Thecommunication and control device of claim 10, wherein the moduleincludes sip and puff switches.
 14. The communication and control deviceof claim 10, wherein the module includes pillow switches.
 15. Thecommunication and control device of claim 10, wherein the moduleincludes tongue actuated switches.
 16. The communication and controldevice of claim 10, wherein the module includes eyebrow actuatedswitches.
 17. The communication and control device of claim 1, whereinthe arm is configured to move the module relative to the bed.
 18. Thecommunication and control device of claim 1, wherein the display is analpha numeric display.
 19. The communication and control device of claim1, wherein the display includes LED indicator lights.
 20. Thecommunication and control device of claim 1, wherein the supportcomprises a lower supporting structure, and a head portion of the bed ismovable relative to the lower supporting structure between a downposition and an up position.
 21. A communication and control device fora bed including a head portion and a support, the communication andcontrol device comprising an arm having a first end and a second end, asecuring mechanism configured to couple the first end of the arm to thesupport, a voice recognition communication and control module coupled tothe second end of the arm, the module including a microphone and adisplay, an interface interposed in electrical communication between themodule and a device, and wherein the device is movable between anactuated position and a non-actuated position in response to a signalfrom the module.
 22. The communication and control device of claim 21,wherein the device calls a nurse when the device is actuated.
 23. Thecommunication and control device of claim 21, wherein the device atleast one of turns on and off a light when the device is actuated. 24.The communication and control device of claim 21, wherein the deviceturns a television at least one of on and off when the device isactuated.
 25. The communication and control device of claim 21, whereinthe device at least one of places and receives telephone calls when thedevice is actuated.
 26. The communication and control device of claim21, wherein the device adjusts the height of the bed when the device isactuated.
 27. The communication and control device of claim 21, whereinthe device adjusts the configuration of the bed when the device isactuated.
 28. The communication and control device of claim 21, whereinthe device adjusts the position of a mattress when the device isactuated.
 29. A communication and control device for a bed including asupport, the communication and control device comprising an arm having afirst end and a second end, a securing mechanism configured to couplethe first end of the arm to the support, and a housing coupled to thesecond end of the arm, the housing carrying a voice recognitioncommunication and control module.
 30. The communication and controldevice of claim 29, wherein the control module includes pressuresensitive switches.
 31. The communication and control device of claim29, wherein the control module includes conductive switches.
 32. Thecommunication and control device of claim 29, wherein the control moduleincludes sip and puff switches.
 33. The communication and control deviceof claim 29, wherein the control module includes pillow switches. 34.The communication and control device of claim 29, wherein the controlmodule includes tongue actuated switches.
 35. The communication andcontrol device of claim 29, wherein the control module includes eyebrowactuated switches.
 36. The control assembly of claim 29, wherein the armis configured to move the housing relative to the bed.
 37. Thecommunication and control device of claim 29, wherein the bed furthercomprises a head portion including the support, and the head portion ismovable between a down position and an up position.
 38. Thecommunication and control device of claim 29, wherein the supportcomprises a lower supporting structure, and a head portion of the bed ismovable relative to the lower supporting structure between a downposition and an up position.
 39. A communication and control device fora bed including a head portion and a foot portion, communication andcontrol device comprising an arm having a first end and a second end, asecuring mechanism configured to couple the first end of the arm to thehead portion, and a voice recognition communication and control modulecoupled to the second end of the arm, the module including a microphoneand a display.
 40. The communication and control device of claim 39,wherein the head portion includes a support configured to move between adown position and an up position, and the arm is coupled to the support.41. The communication and control device of claim 39, wherein the headportion is movable between a down position and an up position and thearm is configured to articulate so that the voice recognitioncommunication and control module is movable between a first positionwhen the head portion is in the down position and a second position whenthe head portion is in the up position.
 42. The communication andcontrol device of claim 39, wherein the arm is configured to movebetween a stored position compactly folded adjacent a head end of thebed and a use position.
 43. The communication and control device ofclaim 39, wherein the arm is configured to move between a storedposition adjacent a head end edge of the bed and a use position.
 44. Thecommunication and control device of claim 39, further comprising aninterface interposed in electrical communication between the module anda device.
 45. The communication and control device of claim 44, furthercomprising a plurality of devices, the interface being interposed inelectrical communication between the module and each device.
 46. Thecommunication and control device of claim 44, wherein the interface isenclosed in an interface box fixed to the bed.
 47. The communication andcontrol device of claim 39, wherein the arm is configured to move themodule relative to the bed.
 48. The communication and control device ofclaim 39, further comprising a housing coupled to the second end of thearm, the housing carrying the module.
 49. The communication and controldevice of claim 48, wherein the module includes pressure sensitiveswitches.
 50. The communication and control device of claim 48, whereinthe module includes conductive switches.
 51. The communication andcontrol device of claim 48, wherein the module includes sip and puffswitches.
 52. The communication and control device of claim 48, whereinthe module includes pillow switches.
 53. The communication and controldevice of claim 48, wherein the module includes tongue actuatedswitches.
 54. The communication and control device of claim 48, whereinthe module includes eyebrow actuated switches.
 55. A communication andcontrol device for a bed including a head portion and a foot portion,communication and control device comprising an arm having a first endand a second end, a securing mechanism configured to couple the firstend of the arm to the head portion, a voice recognition communicationand control module coupled to the second end of the arm, the moduleincluding a microphone and a display, an interface interposed inelectrical communication between the module and a device, and whereinthe device is movable between an actuated position and a non-actuatedposition in response to a signal from the module.
 56. A communicationand control device for a bed including a head portion and a support, thecommunication and control device comprising an arm having a first endand a second end, a securing mechanism configured to couple the firstend of the arm to the head portion, a voice recognition communicationand control module coupled to the second end of the arm, a communicationlink interposed intermediate the voice recognition communication andcontrol module and a device, and wherein the device is movable betweenan actuated condition and a non-actuated condition in response to asignal from the voice recognition communication and control module. 57.A communication and control device for a bed including a head portionand a support, the communication and control device comprising an armhaving a first end and a second end, a securing mechanism configured tocouple the first end of the arm to the support, a housing coupled to thesecond end of the arm, the housing carrying a voice recognitioncommunication and control module, a communication link interposedintermediate the voice recognition communication and control module anda device, and wherein the device is movable between an actuatedcondition and a non-actuated condition in response to a signal from thehousing.
 58. A communication and control device for a bed including ahead portion and a support, the communication and control devicecomprising an arm having a first end and a second end, a securingmechanism configured to couple the first end of the arm to the support,the second end of the arm cantilevered from the securing mechanism, avoice recognition communication and control module coupled to the secondend of the arm, and wherein the arm extends between the voicerecognition communication and control module and the securing mechanismand above the head portion for variably positioning the voicerecognition communication and control module, in a cantilevered positionfrom the support, to be located above a patient resting on the bed andin close proximity to a head of the patient.
 59. A communication andcontrol device for use in combination with a bed including a headportion and a support, the communication and control device comprisingan arm having a first end and a second end, a securing mechanismconfigured to couple the first end of the arm to the support, a firstarticulating joint coupling the first end of the arm to the securingmechanism, a voice recognition communication and control module coupledto the second end of the arm, and a second articulating joint couplingthe second end of the arm to the voice recognition communication andcontrol module.